Sophocles "Sam" Petros Vendoures
August 30, 2015
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Service Details
Sophocles “Sam” Petros Vendoures, 75, passed away at his home in Marshalltown on August 30, 2015, after a courageous battle with ALS. Sam was born in Greece on February 19, 1940, the son of Petros Vendoures and Marousa Menegas. He was raised in Greece and served in the Hellenic Navy.
In 1967, Sam came to the United States. He married Jacqueline Freeman in March of 1975. Sam’s heart was filled with love and pride each day he shared with Jacqueline. He was forever thankful for the six sweet girls they were blessed with. Sam co-owned Sam’s Steakhouse, two in Des Moines and one in Marshalltown as well as Sam’s Cafe with his wife of 18 years, Jacqueline. Sam was a long time member of The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George. He was a collector of antiques and coins. Sam retired from Swift Packing Plant. After the passing of his wife Jacqueline in 1993, Sam met and fell in love with Ruth Lamca who devotedly cared for him during his battle with ALS the last two years. Above all, Sam’s greatest passion was his family and spending time with them.
Sam is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ruth; daughters, Chris Taylor, Venus (Joseph) Walsh, Maria (Jefferey) Mills, Lea (Lizzie Keese) Vendoures, Sophia (Rodney Atwell) Vendoures, Georgia Ruiz, Pamela Kidder, Deb (Jim) Quisberg; 23 grandchildren, Tanner Taylor, Colton Taylor, Mallory Walsh, Jackson Walsh, Gabrielle Walsh, Apollo Walsh, Draecoolia “Alexandros” Vendoures-Mills, Jacqueline Vendoures-Mills, Natasha “Toshee” Mills, Cheyenne Mills, Emmie Jones, Nate Jones, Kaylea Vendoures-West, Alyssa Atwell, Chelsey Atwell, Marleigh Atwell, Everett Atwell, Jesse Ruiz, Malachi Ruiz, Faith Ruiz, Phil Nazaruk, Amber Lamca and Ashley Richardson; 5 great-grandchildren, Katrioma, Magdalena, Anthony, Ethan, and Aubree; brother, Dimitri (Maria) Venturis; sister, Maria (Spiros) Begni, sister-in-law, Nina (Dan) Wadsworth; brother-in-law, Michael Freeman; sister-in-law, Judy Soutter; mother-in-law, Lenore Freeman; nephew, Danny Wadsworth; nephews, Petros and Dimitri Begni and nieces, Eleni and Alice Venturi all of Greece; a host of other family and beloved friends in both Greece and the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jacqueline; grandson, Joseph Atwell; and grandmother, Aphrodite Akellestou.
The family will receive visitors Thursday, September 3, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines with a Trisagion Service at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2015, at The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, 1110 35th Street, Des Moines with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Sam.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
faith ruiz
03/29/2023
its been 7 years since papou died. it took some digging to find this.
ive been thinking about the memories him and i created along with my siblings, its hard to remember him here but also hard to think hes gone. ill always and forever miss his unique laugh and huge heart, which had the capability to love so much. everytime i see kitkats, monopoly or smell that certain type of cigarette you used to smoke i remember you.
recently me, my dad, malachi and my younger sibling went to an antique shop, we found an area with records and old coins and bills. that sparked you in the conversation. we talked about your love for old items, for collecting things other may see as junk. i was stuck in the old money area and reminisced on how i remember how passionate you were about your antique items.
you made such joyful memories
John and Rita Harmsen
09/01/2015
Our thoughts and our prayers are with Sam's family at this time of great loss. He has left behind a remarkable family.
Joe Hernandez Jr.
09/01/2015
Sam was a great man, I went to his steak house in Des Moines at least once a week since I was 3 years old, I am 48 now. My Dad took me there every weekend when I was a child, and I took my kids there too. I ate there once a week until the day they closed for good. I even went to his place in Marshalltown a couple times. He was very kind, always a gentleman and made the best steak in the world. I remember how excited he was when was expecting another baby. He always talked about wanting a son, but was blessed with a daughter every time. He loved his daughters and talked about them often when I came to eat at his place. I bet he was the happiest Grandpa in the world when you all blessed him with grandsons! I recently discovered a steakhouse in Indianola that is owned by a former employee of "The Best Steak House" aka "Sam's steak House". He is serving the same great Filet Steak with Sam's Secret Marinade. I am a regular at this place since discovering it a few weeks ago. I was craving one of Sam's steaks one day and found this place on google. I had not had one of his steaks in many, many years. He had my favorite restaurant in the world. I will think of your Father every time I have one of these great Steaks for the rest of my life. Thank you Sam, you will be missed. God bless your family.
Jesse Ruiz
08/31/2015
Sam, heaven gained an angel when you left. You were an excellent father, and a great "papou" to my children. You were there when Jesse was born, u were there when I Couldnt be there when we welcomed Malachi "Little Malachi, big boy" and once again when Faith came. I will never forget the great memories we created for so many years, we had a great run...long nights of Monopoly (even though you cheated sometimes, haha). We will miss you and forever in our hearts you will remain.
amber lamca
08/31/2015
best grandpa anyone could ever ask for, full of knowledge and wisdom, will miss sitting at the table going through pennies, and different coins! his memories will last forever and his smile!
Linda Campbell
08/31/2015
My sincerest condolences to the whole Vendoures family in the loss of Sam. He had so many friends from the Best Steak House and his restaurants over the years who remember him fondly.